Automated Accounting System for Audit-Ready Reporting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Small to medium-sized businesses face challenges in managing financial accounting due to the lack of affordable and high-quality bookkeeping and financial management services, often resorting to manual methods that can lead to errors and misallocation of expenses, making it difficult to maintain audit-ready financial records.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that utilizes semi-automated and machine learning algorithms to process financial transactions in real-time, integrating with accounting software like QuickBooks via an API, which includes an accounting playbook module, AI/ML learning module, accountant review module, and supervisory review module to assign accounting codes, flag transactions for review, and generate audit-ready financial reports.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual bookkeeping methods are used, then businesses can maintain control over their financial records, but human error increases and audit readiness decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaudit readinessVSAvoidaccounting accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automated self-service bookkeeping where the software automatically categorizes transactions, assigns accounting codes, and generates financial statements without requiring manual intervention, thereby reducing human error while maintaining business control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical bookkeeping processes with automated software systems that use algorithms and machine learning to classify transactions and generate financial reports, eliminating human error in transaction coding and categorization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If automated accounting software is used, then processing speed increases, but complexity of the system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefinancial processing speedVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The accounting system is divided into modular components including transaction import modules, categorization engines, reporting generators, and integration interfaces, allowing businesses to implement only the features they need while maintaining automated processing capabilities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediary layers such as API gateways and data transformation services that simplify integration between automated accounting software and external systems like banks and payment processors, reducing the perceived complexity for end users

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If professional accounting services are hired, then accuracy improves, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccounting accuracyVSAvoidservice cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides enterprise-grade automated accounting capabilities that were previously only available through professional services, enabling businesses to perform accurate bookkeeping, tax preparation, and financial reporting in-house at a fraction of the cost

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs machine learning algorithms that continuously improve accuracy by learning from transaction patterns and user corrections, allowing the system to achieve professional-level accounting accuracy over time without requiring professional accountants

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11393045B2Methods and systems for efficient delivery of accounting and corporate planning services
Publication Date: 2022.07.19 FIN BOX TECHNOLOGIES INC
  • US11393045B2 patent drawing
  • US11393045B2 patent drawing
  • US11393045B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Methods and systems for providing accounting services and corporate strategic planning services that comprise processing and aggregating financial transaction data and a plurality of input variables for maintaining a subscriber's general ledger, outputting audit ready financial reports, providing strategic planning inputs and by using at least one of semi-automated and machine learning algorithms are disclosed.